Muzzle Brake

ABSTRACT

A muzzle brake for a firearm having an outer body with a sidewall that defines at least one aperture and an inner tube that fits inside the outer body. The inner tube includes at least one aperture that corresponds to the at least one aperture of the outer body. The inner tube is rotatably mounted to the outer body. The muzzle brake may adopt an open position in which the apertures of the outer body are in communication with the apertures of the inner tube and a closed position in which the apertures of the outer body are not in communication with the apertures of the inner tube. When in the closed position, propellant and projectiles may be easily loaded into the barrel and when in the open position, gases and heat may easily escape, which minimizes or counteracts recoil.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/051,612 filed Jul. 14, 2020. This patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a brake for a muzzleloader firearm, more particularly, to a brake configured to easily transition between an open and a closed position.

BACKGROUND

A muzzleloader is a firearm that requires a projectile and usually a propellant charge to be loaded from the muzzle (i.e., the open end of the gun's barrel). In general, a muzzleloader firearm is loaded by first inserting gunpowder or other propellant (either in pellet or loose form) and then inserting a projectile and forcing it into the breech, sometimes with the assistance of a ramrod.

Muzzleloaders and other types of firearms are sometimes outfitted with a muzzle brake. Muzzle brakes contain vents designed to disperse gas generated during firing. By efficiently diverting the gas produced when the firearm is discharged, muzzle brakes may act to compensate for recoil and limit upward movement of the barrel after firing.

SUMMARY

Loading of a projectile and propellant charge can be challenging if a muzzleloader is outfitted with a brake that includes vents. Specifically, the open vents of a conventional muzzle brake may make loading the propellant (especially if loose propellant is being used) challenging since some propellant may be lost through the brake vents. Given the precise nature of calculating the appropriate amount of propellant to use for a particular shot and projectile, losing propellant to vents in a muzzle brake is not ideal.

The presently disclosed muzzle brake addresses these and other drawbacks of previously known vented brakes. As described in detail below, muzzle brakes configured in accordance with the subject disclosure are configured to easily transition between a closed position in which all vents are covered (intended to be used when the firearm is loaded with propellant and projectile) and an open position in which the vents are exposed (intended to be used when the firearm is operational).

The disclosed muzzle brakes may include an outer body with at least one sidewall that defines at least one aperture, and an inner tube that fits inside the outer body. The inner tube may include at least one aperture that corresponds to the aperture(s) in the outer body. The inner tube may be rotatably mounted to the outer body. The muzzle brake may adopt an open position in which the apertures of the outer body are in communication with the apertures of the inner tube, and a closed position in which the apertures of the outer body are not in communication with the apertures of the inner tube. When in the closed position, propellant and projectiles may be easily loaded into the barrel, and when in the open position, gases and heat may easily escape, which minimizes and/or counteracts recoil.

The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings and disclosure. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in this disclosure has been selected principally for readability and instructional purposes and not to limit the scope of the inventive subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example muzzle brake in a closed position, in accordance with an embodiment of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the example muzzle brake shown in FIG. 1 in an open position.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the muzzle brake shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an example muzzle brake coupled to a firearm, in accordance with some embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates another perspective view of an example muzzle brake coupled to a firearm, in accordance with some embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top perspective view of the example muzzle brake coupled to a firearm shown in FIG. 5.

These and other features of the present disclosure will be understood better by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the figures herein described. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures may be represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. Furthermore, as will be appreciated in light of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale or to limit the described embodiments to the specific configurations shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various types of muzzle brakes are disclosed herein. In addition to other benefits and functionality, the disclosed muzzle brakes may redirect propellant gases to oppose recoil and minimize rise of the firearm barrel. The disclosed muzzle brakes may be integrated into pre-existing firearms or may be separate components that are attachable to the end of a firearm barrel. The devices of the present disclosure allow a user to load their firearm while the muzzle brake is attached.

FIGS. 1-3 show an example muzzle brake 100 configured in accordance with the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 1 shows the muzzle brake 100 in an open position, FIG. 2 shows the muzzle brake 100 in a closed position, and FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the muzzle brake 100. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the muzzle brake may include an outer body 10 with an inner tube 20 positioned inside the outer body 10. The inner tube 20 may be sized to be able to rotate within the outer body 10. In some embodiments, the outer body 10 may have a cylindrical inner surface that is in contact with a cylindrical outer surface of the inner tube 20. In some embodiments, the inner tube 20 may snugly fit within the outer body 10. In these and other embodiments, the outer body 10 may have an outer surface that may be cylindrical or non-cylindrical. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the outer body 10 may have an outer surface that includes multiple flat sides (for example, four sides, six sides, eight sides, ten sides, or more).

The outer body 10 may be hollow and shaped to include one or more sidewalls 12 with apertures 11 that completely extend through the sidewall(s), as shown in FIGS. 1-3. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the outer body 10 may include two opposing sidewalls 12, each outfitted with three apertures. However, in other embodiments, the outer body 10 may include three, four, five, six or more sidewalls 12, each having one or more apertures 11 extending therethrough. The apertures 11 formed in the outer body 10 are illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 as being oval-shaped, but other variations are possible and contemplated herein. For example, in some embodiments, the apertures 11 of the outer body 10 may be circular, polygonal, square, rectangular, or irregularly shaped, among other options. In these and other embodiments, the outer body 10 may include at least two, four, six, eight, ten, twelve, or more apertures 11.

The inner tube 20 may also be outfitted with a plurality of apertures 21, as shown in FIG. 3. The apertures 21 of the inner tube 20 may be arranged to mirror those of the outer body 10 such that the apertures 21 are in communication with the apertures 11 when the inner tube 20 is moved to an open position relative to the outer body 10 (see FIG. 1). Importantly, the inner tube 20 may also be constructed to be moved into a closed position relative to the outer body 10 such that no apertures 21 of the inner tube 20 are visible through the apertures 11 (see FIG. 2). In some embodiments, the inner tube 20 may include the same number of apertures 21 as the outer body 10. In some embodiments, the apertures 21 of the inner tube 20 may have the same or similar characteristics as the apertures 11 of the outer body 10.

As will be appreciated upon consideration of the subject disclosure and examination of FIGS. 1-3, the presently disclosed muzzle brake 100 may be moved into at least two different positions: an open position where the apertures 11 of the outer body 10 and the apertures 21 of the inner tube 20 are in direct communication (shown in FIG. 1), and a closed position in which the apertures 11 of the outer body 10 are obstructed by the inner tube 20 (shown in FIG. 2). In some embodiments, changing the muzzle brake 100 between an open and closed position may be accomplished simply by rotating the inner tube 20 within the outer body 10 to cover or expose apertures 21. In some embodiments, the inner tube 20 may be rotated 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°, 105°, 120°, 135°, 150°, 165°, or 180° within the outer body 10 to transition the muzzle brake 100 between an open and closed position. A user may load their firearm while the muzzle brake 100 is attached and in a closed position, which prevents powder and projectiles from escaping through apertures 11. When the user is ready to discharge the firearm, the muzzle brake 100 may be turned into an open position to allow gas to escape from the apertures 11 after firing.

The outer body 10 and the inner tube 20 may be rotatably mounted to one another such that the muzzle brake 100 may easily transition between a closed position and an open position. In some embodiments, inner tube 20 may include a track 23 (shown in FIG. 3) and outer body 10 may include a corresponding protrusion (not shown in FIG. 3) configured to travel within track 23 and thereby allow inner tube 20 to rotate within the outer body 10. In some embodiments, a retaining screw 40 may be secured within a threaded screw hole 14 in the outer body 10 and may be positioned to rest within the track 23. In some such embodiments, when the retaining screw 40 is in place, it may hold the inner tube 20 and the outer body 10 together, and also permit the inner tube 20 to be rotated with respect to the outer body 10. In these and other embodiments, one or more detents may be used to lock the inner tube 20 into either an open position or a closed position with respect to the outer body 10. In embodiments in which one or more detents are used, the detent may lock the muzzle brake 100 into an open position and a closed position with a “click” heard by the user.

In some embodiments, the outer body 10 may be secured to the inner tube 20 with a snap ring or other type of fastener. In these and other embodiments, an O-ring (not shown) is used to ensure a secure fit between the inner tube 20 and the outer body 10. In some embodiments, the outer body 10 may rotate relative to a fixed inner tube 20. In other embodiments, the inner tube 20 may be slidably mounted to the outer body 10.

The inner tube 20 may, in some embodiments, include features that extend beyond the outer body 10. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the inner tube 20 may include a grip 24 that extends beyond the outer body 10. If present, the grip 24 may allow a user to easily rotate the inner tube 20 within the outer body 10 to bring the muzzle brake 100 into either an open position or a closed position.

Any desired materials may be used to construct the muzzle brake 100. For example, in some embodiments, the muzzle brake 100 may be constructed from steel, stainless steel, aluminum alloys, titanium, composite, and/or any other sufficiently suited material. In some embodiments, the muzzle brake 100 may be constructed from the same material as the barrel of the firearm. However, in other embodiments, the muzzle brake 100 may be constructed from a different material than the barrel of the firearm.

The muzzle brake 100 may be attachable to any suitable type of firearm. For example, in some embodiments, the muzzle brake 100 may be attached to a muzzleloader or to a rifle. As previously discussed, using the presently disclosed muzzle brake 100 in connection with a muzzleloader firearm may advantageously prevent propellant loss during loading. When used with a rifle, the muzzle brake 100 may easily allow a user to switch between firing with or without brake engagement (e.g., with or without decreased recoil provided by the brake).

Any suitable attachment mechanism may be used to secure the presently disclosed muzzle brake 100 to a firearm. For example, in some embodiments the outer body 10 may be directly attached to the firearm barrel. Numerous attachment mechanisms are possible and contemplated herein. For example, the muzzle brake 100 may be attached via threading on an interior surface of the outer body 10 that corresponds to threading on an exterior surface of an end of the firearm barrel. Alternatively, the muzzle brake 100 may be attached by friction fit (sliding the muzzle brake 100 over the end of the firearm barrel such that the outer body 10 fits snugly over the barrel) or through the use of retaining pins that secure the muzzle brake 100 to the firearm barrel. In other embodiments, the muzzle brake 100 may be formed integrally with the firearm during its construction such that the muzzle brake 100 and firearm (particularly the outer body 10 and the firearm barrel) are a single component.

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate the presently disclosed muzzle brake 100 mounted on the end of the barrel of a firearm 110. As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the muzzle brake 100 may be mounted with its proximal end 26 secured to the barrel of the firearm 110 and the grip 24 of the inner tube 20 positioned at the distal end 28 of the muzzle brake 100. When the muzzle brake 100 is attached to the barrel, the inner tube 20 may form an extension of the barrel, through which the projectile exits, due to the cavity formed within the inner tube 20.

The foregoing description of example embodiments has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure. It is intended that the scope of the present disclosure be limited not by this detailed description. Future-filed applications claiming priority to this application may claim the disclosed subject matter in a different manner and generally may include any set of one or more limitations as variously disclosed or otherwise demonstrated herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A muzzle brake for a firearm, the muzzle brake comprising: an outer body having at least one sidewall with at least one aperture extending therethrough; and an inner tube positioned inside the outer body and rotatably mounted within the outer body, wherein the inner tube comprises at least one aperture that corresponds to the at least one aperture in the outer body, wherein the muzzle brake defines at least two positions, an open position in which the outer body and inner tube are positioned such that the at least one aperture in both the outer body and the inner tube are in direct communication, and a closed position in which the outer body and inner tube are positioned such that the at least one aperture in the outer body is not in communication with the at least one aperture in the inner tube.
 2. The muzzle brake of claim 1, wherein the inner tube further comprises a track and the outer body further comprises a corresponding protrusion configured to travel within the track to allow the inner tube to rotate within the outer body.
 3. The muzzle brake of claim 2, wherein the corresponding protrusion is a retaining screw secured within a threaded screw hole formed in the outer body.
 4. The muzzle brake of claim 1, wherein the inner tube further comprises a grip that extends beyond the outer body.
 5. The muzzle brake of claim 4, wherein the grip facilitates rotation of the inner tube within the outer body.
 6. The muzzle brake of claim 1, wherein the muzzle brake assembly is constructed from the group consisting of steel, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, titanium, and composite.
 7. The muzzle brake of claim 1, wherein the muzzle brake assembly is formed integrally with the firearm.
 8. The muzzle brake of claim 1, wherein the muzzle brake assembly is configured to be attached to an end of an existing firearm.
 9. A method of using a muzzle brake for a firearm, the method comprising: loading the firearm while the muzzle brake is in a closed position, wherein the muzzle brake comprises; an outer body having one or more sidewalls with at least one aperture extending therethrough; and an inner tube positioned inside the outer body and rotatably mounted within the outer body, wherein the inner tube comprises at least one aperture that corresponds to the at least one aperture in the outer body, wherein the outer body and inner tube are positioned such that the at least one aperture in the outer body is not in communication with the at least one aperture in the inner tube, and rotating the inner tube to an open position, wherein the outer body and inner tube are positioned such that the at least one aperture in both the outer body and the inner tube are in direct communication.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein rotating the inner tube to an open position further comprises grasping a grip which extends beyond the outer body.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein a user rotates the inner tube 45 degrees from a starting position.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein a user rotates the inner tube 90 degrees from a starting position.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein a user rotates the inner tube 180 degrees from a starting position. 